Who Owns Your Credit Union? YOU DO! Did you know that YOU Own Siskiyou Central Credit Union? Yes, you! All Siskiyou Central Credit Union members own a part of our credit union. Do you remember that $5 you paid when you first opened your account? That $5 opened your membership into SCCU and automatically made you a part-owner. There are currently over 7,500 people who belong to SCCU. The main difference between a credit union and a bank is its owners. A credit union is owned by its members, while a bank is owned by stockholders or a private owner. A credit union is run by a member-elected Board of Directors who receives no compensation for their time and involvement, a bank is run by a paid board of directors and senior managers who profit from the fees the bank charges its customers. A credit union’s profits are returned to its members in the form of low loan rates, high deposit rates and dividends.

How to get stuff for less - How To Get Stuff for Less Research isn’t just for school projects. To help you find something that you really want, like new clothes or shoes – or more expensive items, like a game system or a car – you should also do some research. When you do a little investigating before you buy, you will ultimately save yourself some money or get a better quality product for the money you spend. The best time to do research on your desired item is before you need it. Peruse advertisements in the newspaper. Keep your eyes open for sales when you are out shopping. Sign up to be on your favorite store’s mailing list; they will regularly send you emails about their current sales & specials.

Ready For A Credit Card? Sometimes the best way to learn is with hands-on experience. If you are 16 or older, ask your parent(s) or guardian about opening an SCCU Teen VISA. You can apply with a parent or legal guardian as your co-signer. And you can get some experience with managing credit.
Here are some tips for handling credit responsibly:
1. Start slow. Use your card for little necessities like gasoline, rather than splurging on a new iPod or some video games.

2. Pay off your balance. You don’t want to get into the habit of letting your balance roll over. Do your best to pay it off every month.

3. Pay your bill on time. This is the best way to build a good credit score. Remember, you can use Flex Teller or Audio Response to make a payment any time.